This blog is meant for use by members of the Association for news and views. Send comments / suggestions / views to e-mail Id: aiaipasp.ors@gmail.com

Friday, September 30, 2011

Financial assistance for medical treatment of Shri P K Behera, ASP(OD), Puri Division


So far 123 persons have responded to the appeal posted in this blog for contributing for the financial assistance for medical treatment of  Shri P K Behera, ASP(OD), Puri Division who has been continuing on leave since long. The total amount of contribution comes to Rs.91,366/- out of which Rs.81,866/- has been paid to Shri Behera on 02.08.2011. The rest amount of Rs.9500/- will be paid to Shri Behera shortly alongwith any remittance that may be received in the meantime. Members desirous of contributing for the cause are requested to remit contribution by eMO to the following address by 10.10.2011. 
Shri Pitabasa Jena
Treasurer, All India Assocition of IPs and ASPs
Odisha Circle Branch
Bhubaneswar 751001

The updated list of contributors can be viewed by clicking this Link. The names of members who will contribute now will be added to the list in the blog for information of all concerned.

It is here to mention that no significant improvement is noticed in the health of Shri Behera.

Transfer and Postings in JAG of IPoS Group-A


No.2-8/2011-SPG

Government of India

Ministry of Communication & IT
Department of  Posts
( Personnel Division )
******
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi-110116

Dated 30th  September, 2011

ORDER

Sub: Transfer and posting of officers working as regular Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) officers 
       as well as adhoc JAG officer of Indian  Postal Service, Group ‘A’.

            Orders of the Competent Authority are hereby conveyed for transfer /postings of the following regular Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) officers as well as adhoc JAG officer of  the Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’ with immediate effect and until further orders:

Part-I (Regular Junior Administrative Grade Officers )

Sl.
Name of the
Officer (S/Shri)
Presently posted
Posting on transfer
Remarks
1.
P.V.S.Reddy (1993)
DPS, South Bengal Region,West Bengal Circle (designate)
Director (BD, Tech. & Mktg.), Bhubaneswar, Orissa Circle
Against vacant
 post.
2.
Umesh Kumar Verma (1995)
AGM (BP), BD&M Directorate, Dak Bhawan
DPS, Agra, UP Circle
Against vacant 
post.


Part-II (officer working in Junior Administrative Grade on adhoc basis )

Sl.
Name of the Officer
Presently posted
Posting on transfer
Remarks
1
Sh. Aman Sharma (2002)
DPS, Ghaziabad, UP Circle
Director (AMPC Project), Delhi Circle
Posting for a period of 6 months.

  1. The transfer/posting orders issued vide letter No.2-8/2011-SPG dated 05.08.2011 in respect of Sh. Parimal Sinha, Director (SP & Mails), Chennai and Ms .T. Nirmala Devi, Director, PTC, Madurai are hereby cancelled.
  2. The officer at Sl.No.2 of  Part-I  will be relieved under local arrangement immediately. The relevant charge reports may be sent to this office in due course.
  3. Hindi version will follow.
(Raj  Kumar )
Director (Staff)
  
 _________________________________________
AIAIASP, Odisha Circle Branch welcomes Shri P V S Reddy as the new DPS (BD, Tech & Marketing), Bhubaneswar.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Guidelines regarding grant of ‘Vigilance Clearance’ to members of Central Civil Services / Posts.


No.11012/11/2007-Estt.A
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

New Delhi dated 27th September, 2011
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Guidelines regarding grant of ‘Vigilance Clearance’ to members of Central Civil Services / Posts.
The undersigned is directed to say that it has been decided by the Government that officers who have not submitted the Annual Immovable Property Returns by the prescribed time would be denied vigilance clearance and Will not be considered for empanelment for senior level posts in Government of India.

2. Accordingly, in this Department’s OM No. 11012/11/2007-Estt.A dated 14.12.2007, laying down guidelines regarding grant of vigilance clearance to members of Central Civil Services / Posts, in para 2 a new sub-para (f) will be inserted as under:
(f) Vigilance clearance shall be denied to an officer if he fails to submit his annual immovable property return of the previous year by 31stJanuary of the following year, as required under Government of India decisions under Rule 18 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rule, 1964.
(U.S.Chattopadhyay)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Removal of ceiling of maximum balance to be retained in a post office savings account- amendment to Rule-4 of the Post Office Savings Account Rules 1981 regarding.


SB ORDER NO. 20/2011
No. F.No.113-23/2005-SB
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi-110001,
Dated: 27.09.2011

To All Heads of Circles/Regions Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.
Subject:- Removal of ceiling of maximum balance to be retained in a post office savings account- amendment to Rule-4 of the Post Office Savings Account Rules 1981 regarding.
Sir/Madam,
The undersigned is directed to say that issue of removal of ceiling of Rs.1 lac in single savings account and Rs.2 Lac in Joint Savings Account fixed in the year 2000 was under consideration in the Min. of Finance (DEA). This issue was linked to the benefit of exemption in Income Tax on the interest earned in Post Office Savings Account under Section10(15) (i) of Income Tax Act, 1961 by the CBDT and Min. of Finance (DEA). After sustained efforts on the part of this Directorate, Min. of Finance (DEA) has now amended Rule-4 of the Post Office Savings Account Rules 1981 vide G.S.R.681(E) F.No.2/5/2006-NS-II dated 15.9.2011 (copy enclosed). Some major benefits of this amendment are given below:

(i) From 1.10.2011, there will be no limit for retaining balance in single as well as joint savings account.
(ii) A depositor or depositor(s) can deposit any amount into single as well as joint savings account.
(iii) Maturity value of any savings instrument can be credited into savings account of the depositor standing in the same post office irrespective of the balance in the account.
(i) Any cheque either issued by Postmaster or any other authority irrespective of any amount can be credited into post office savings account irrespective of the balance in the account.
(ii) From the Financial year 2011-12, Interest income of Rs.3500/- in the case of single account and Rs.7000/- in case of Joint account will be exempted from Income Tax. (Section 10(15) (i) of Income Tax Act, 1961 amended vide Notification No. 32/2010 {F.No. 173/13/2011-IT A.I}/S.O.1296(E) dated 03.06.2011)

(iii) It is the duty of the depositor(s) to show the interest income earned from Post Office Savings Account(s) beyond the limit prescribed above in the Income Tax return and pay due Income Tax.

1. It is requested that all field units may be directed to give wide publicity to these changes in the shape of Public Notice and printing of leaflets.
2. This issues with the approval of DDG(FS).
Yours faithfully,
(Kawal Jit Singh)
Assistant Director (SB)

GS writes to DG(Posts) regarding Up-gradation of Grade Pay from Rs 4200/- to Rs 4600/- for Inspector, Posts w.e.f.01.01.2006.


To
The Director General (Posts)
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, N. Delhi-110001

No.CHQ/IPASP/SCPC                                                                                              Dated 27.09.2011

Sub: Up-gradation of Grade Pay from Rs 4200/- to Rs 4600/- for 
        Inspector, Posts w.e.f.01.01.2006.

Ref:- Postal Directorate No. 4-12/2009-PCC dated 22-03-2010

Respected Madam,
At the outset, the Association conveys its sincere thanks for giving us an opportunity to meet you on 11.08.2011 to discuss the issues raised by us in our charter of demands submitted to the Department on 04.07.2011.

The views of the Department on the issue of up-gradation of Grade Pay of Inspector, Posts from Rs.4200/- to Rs.4600/- with effect from 01.01.2006 and merger of post of Assistant Superintendent, Posts with the post of PS Group "B" as both are having Gazetted status and difference in Grade Pay is only Rs.200/- were conveyed to the Association vide Postal Directorate No. 01/01/2011-SR dated 25.08.2011 which is reproduced below:-

" The Association was apprised that the proposal to revise the Grade Pay of Inspector Posts from Rs.4200 to Rs.4600 did not find favour with the Ministry of Finance on the ground that there cannot be two levels in the same hierarchy i.e., IPOs & ASPOs drawing the same grade pay. They were further informed that the proposal could be considered only if IPOs & ASPOs cadres are merged into one cadre and the gazetted status of ASPOs is foregone. The Association agreed to submit a revised proposal to be considered by the Department."

The above view of the Department was discussed in the CWC held at Patna from 23.09.2011 to 24.09.2011 and the members of CWC had expressed their concern for withdrawal of Gazetted status conferred to the post of ASP vide Postal Directorate No. 25-18/2000-PE-I dated 28.07.2005 as there is no instance/precedence in Central Government that Gazetted status conferred to a post has been withdrawn subsequently and the CWC had concluded that it is not agreeable for withdrawal of Gazetted status conferred to the post of ASP. It amounts to de-promotion of ASP to the post of IP. The arguments put forth by the MoF that there cannot be two levels in the same hierarchy is not acceptable as such kind of two levels exist in Audit / Accounts Departments under the Govt. of India viz. A.O. and its next promotional post Sr. A.O. are in the same Grade Pay of Rs.5400/- in PB-2. While considering the IP cadre, the Department of Expenditure, MoF is applying different norms which are neither relevant nor logical, which this Association strongly opposes.

In view of above, it is requested that the Grade Pay of Inspector Posts be upgraded from Rs. 4200/- to Rs.4600/- w.e.f. 01.01.2006 without insisting the condition of withdrawal of Gazetted status to the post of ASP.

We hope that above revised proposal will be considered by the Department favourably.

With regards, 

Yours sincerely,

(ROOP CHAND)
General Secretary

Brief on Grade Pay issue


CS, AIAIASP, Odisha Circle Branch had posted an article in this blog on 21.09.2011 under the title - "Main issue before CWC meeting at Patna" wherein the views of accepting the proposal of merger of IP and ASP cadres without Gazetted status for ASPs was expressed showing justification how the merger would  yield mass benefit. This was the position before CWC meeting  held at Patna on 23rd and 24th September 2011. This view matched with the views of only 5 Circle Branches as the majority of the Circle Branches went in favour of the proposal of merger of two cadres with retention of Gazetted status for ASPs. In a democratic set up majority opinion matters, though everybody is entitled to his / her own view. There is no problem in getting the views expressed by the CS, Odisha Circle branch overruled. If the Gazetted status is retained with the expected benefit of upgradation of GP of IPs to Rs.4600/- it is so far so good. But time will tell whether or not such a proposal can be accepted for implementation practically. 

A trend is now set wherein it is observed that instead of giving a critical comment on the various aspects of the views, wild allegations are made against the person who has expressed the views. There are comments anonymously posted in this blog criticising the CS personally for the views expressed by him. It is alleged that the CS has been elevated to PS Gr.B status for which he does not care about the feelings of ASPs. This is not correct as the CS is offering such view not now but since last two years when he was not officiating in PS Gr.B post. If views are not accepted it is OK. Let divergent views emerge for information of everybody. But criticisms directed at individuals, that too made anonymously, are not acceptable. 

Here is a brief (which more or less matches with the view of the CS) from Shri Pitabasa Jena, AGS, CHQ & Treasurer, AIAIASP, Orissa Circle as to the justification for merger of IP and ASP cadres without Gazetted status for ASPs. This is notwithstanding the fact that Odisha Circle Branch has no way but to go with the majority opinion of different Circles.
________________________________________
Brief on Grade Pay issue by Shri Pitabasa Jena, AGS, CHQ & Treasurer, AIAIASP, Orissa Circle who represented Orissa Circle in  Central Working Committee held on 23/9/2011 at Patna

Flashback: As per the demand of the Association to upgrade the Grade Pay of Inspector of Posts to Rs.4600/- on par with Inspectors of CBDT/CBEC and Assistants in CSS, Department of Posts considering the case had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Finance but the Ministry of Finance returned the file with observation that there is post of ASP in between Inspector Posts and PS Group ‘B’ whereas no such promotional post is available in the CBDT/CBEC & CSS and hence the post of Inspector Posts is not comparable with Inspectors, Income Tax/Excise& Customs. 
2.         Our Association passed a resolution during All India Conference held at Delhi on 3rd and 4th April, 2011 for merger of the cadre of Inspector Posts and Assistant Superintendent of Posts, as it would not cause functional disturbance and practically there is no difference in nature of work performed by the IPs and ASPs, to make it comparable with the post of Inspector CBDT/CBEC.

3.       A team consisting of Shri S.Samuel, the outgoing General Secretary, Shri Roop Chand, the incoming General Secretary, Shri. S. Raviout going CHQ Treasurer, Shri Jeet Ram incoming CHQ Treasurer, Ms. T.V. Sundari, Asst.General Secretary and Shri R.D.Sharma, Delhi Circle Secretary called on Ms. Radhika Doraiswamy , Secretary (Posts), Ms. Indira Krishna Kumar, Member (Personnel) DDG(Estt.) and DDG (P)on 05th April 2010. A detailed discussion was held with DDG(Estt.) and other officers on merger of the posts of IPs & ASPs and up-gradation of Grade Pay to Rs 4600 and concluded. The General Secretary submitted representations to the Secretary(Posts) on 24/6/2010 and 9/8/2010 for taking immediate steps to revise Grade Pay of  Posts from Rs.4200/- to Rs.4600/-. The General Secretary submitted another representation to the Secretary (Posts) on 7/9/2010 with the proposal for merger of Post of Inspector of Posts with the post of Asstt. Supdt. Posts with Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- with nomenclature as Asstt. Supdt. Posts as JAO(Non-gazetted) was merged with AAO(Gazetted) with nomenclature as AAO with the alternative proposal that if it is not possible then post of Inspector, Posts may be retained as Inspector, Posts (Non-Gazetted Group-B) with Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- and post of Asstt. Supdt.Posts as Asstt.Supdt. Posts (Gazetted Group-B) with Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- as post of Senior AO and its promotional post of ACAO are in the same pay band of PB-3 with Grade Pay of Rs. 5400/-.

4.         In Central Working Committee Meeting held at Ambaji (Gujarat) on 16th and 17th December,2010, a decision was taken for merger of the post of ASPs with the post of PS Group”B” as both the posts are Gazetted Group “B”. All India Conference is the Supreme deliberative and legislative body of the Association. A decision taken by All India Conference should have not been altered in Central Working Committee Meeting as per the Constitution of the Association. It is to mention that Orissa Circle had not attended this CWC.

5.       Accordingly, in the charter of demands submitted by the GS to the Secretary(Posts) on 4/7/2011 demanded for up-gradation of Grade Pay of Inspector, Posts from Rs. 4200/- to Rs. 4600/- with effect from 01.01.2006 and merger of post of Assistant Superintendent, Posts with the post of PS Group “B” as both are having Gazetted status and difference in Grade Pay is only Rs. 200/-. During the meeting with the Secretary(Posts)  on 4/7/2011 it was informed to the Association representatives that proposal could be considered only if IP and ASP cadres are merged into one cadre and the gazette status of ASPs is foregone.

                                   
The subject matter was discussed in detail in the CWC on 23/9/2011 at Patna and all Circle Secretaries/ Representatives exchanged their Circle view on merger and surrendering of Gazetted Status. Five Circles (Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, N.E., Orissa and Uttrakhand ) expressed their view in favour of merger of the posts IPs & ASPs and also withdrawal of Gazetted Status to the post of ASP. Two Circles (U.P. and W.B.) supported the merger of the post of ASP with PS Group “B”. No opinion was received from 2 Circles (Haryana and H.P.). Remaining twelve Circles (A.P., Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, M.P., Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamilnadu) supported the merger of the post of IP with the post of ASP without withdrawal of Gazetted status to the post of ASP. Finally, it was decided to put pressure on the Postal Directorate to upgrade the GP of IP from Rs 4200/- to Rs 4600/- without disturbing the Gazetted status conferred to the post of ASP vide No.25-18/2000-PE-I dated 28.07.2005 failing which agitational programme will be initiated by the CHQ after waiting for outcome of final orders from CAT, Ernakulam.
Why Orissa Circle is in favour of merger of the posts IPs & ASPs irrespective of Gazetted Status and irrespective of nomenclature?
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->On merger of the cadre of IP and ASP into one cadre irrespective of nomenclature with GP of Rs.4600/- one IP promoted from PA cadre can reach to the GP of Rs.4800/- in MACP-II between 15 to 20 years of service and to the GP of Rs.5400/-  in PB-2 in MACP-III between 25 to 30 years of service. Similarly, direct recruit inspectors through SSC can reach GP of Rs.4800/- in MACP-I on 10 years of service, to the GP of Rs.5400/- in PB-2 in MACP-II on 20 years service and to the GP of Rs.5400/- in PB-3 in MACP-III on 30 years Service. Benefit of travel by Air, hike in transport allowance, enhancement of Status for getting Govt. Accommodation etc. are attached to the GP of Rs.5400/-. 
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Merger of the cadre of Inspector Posts and Assistant Superintendent of Posts seems to be feasible as it would not cause functional disturbance and practically there is no difference in nature of work performed by the IPs and ASPs. Further, it will remove the prevailing disparity between different Circles in getting promotion to ASP cadre due to non-uniformity in Circle-wise ratio of IPs and ASPs. In some Circles, IPs are getting promotion to ASP cadre in 4/5 years while in some other Circles it is taking 14/15 years. Detail position is as below:-
Sl.  No.
Circle
Postal
RMS
CO/ RO/ PSD/ CSD /Foreign Post /Directorate
Total
Percentage of ASP Posts
IP
ASP
IP
ASP
IP
ASP
IP
ASP
1
A.P
177
136
11
18
13
22
201
176
46.7%
2
Assam
44
26
6
6
10
9
60
41
40.6%
3
Bihar
103
51
17
18
8
17
128
86
40.2%
4
Chhatisgarh
32
16
3
2
5
4
40
22
35.5%
5
Delhi
9
29
15
24
11
11
35
64
64.6%
6
Gujarat
95
80
17
20
7
22
119
122
50.6%
7
Haryana
33
24
11
8
4
7
48
39
44.8%
8
H.P
35
19
1
1
3
2
39
22
36.1%
9
J & K
14
15
1
1
5
4
20
20
50.0%
10
Jharkhand
31
21
6
4
2
6
39
31
44.3%
11
Karnataka
107
103
12
10
15
26
134
139
50.9%
12
Kerala
70
74
15
13
6
22
91
109
54.5%
13
M.P
98
58
11
9
11
13
120
80
40.0%
14
Maharastra
116
148
26
44
27
43
169
235
58.2%
15
N.E.
32
12
0
0
3
3
35
15
30.0%
16
Orissa
85
52
7
8
13
11
105
71
40.3%
17
Punjab
42
36
4
8
7
11
53
55
50.9%
18
Rajasthan
95
68
8
11
11
15
114
94
45.2%
19
Tamil Nadu
127
156
22
41
17
32
166
229
58.0%
20
Uttarakhand
34
21
0
0
2
3
36
24
40.0%
21
U.P
183
135
22
39
23
24
228
198
46.5%
22
W.B
100
98
24
42
13
24
137
164
54.5%
Total
1662
1378
239
327
216
331
2117
2036
49.0%

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Now, the situation demands for surrendering of Gazetted Status conferred to the Posts of Assistant Superintendent of Posts vide Directorate Letter No.25-18/2000-PE-I dated 24/8/2005 for getting the GP of IPs upgraded to Rs.4600/- by merger of the Posts of IPs and ASPs. Direct recruitment of IPs is being conducted by SSC and on retention of Gazetted Status, merger of the Post of IPs and ASPs will disturb the recruitment process through SSC as UPSC is the recruiting body for Gazetted Posts. But, majority Circles are of the view that the Gazetted status is a social status and are apprehending disciplinary action by Divisional Heads on flimsy grounds on personal motives by change in Appointing Authority / Disciplinary Authorityon withdrawal of Gazetted Status. After all, majority of the Divisional Heads are being promoted from IP cadre and presently they are also Disciplinary Authority for 2117 IPs in all India basis.The Association may put a condition that Head of the Circle will be the Appointing Authority on merger of the posts of IPs and ASPs. It is to mention that on conferment of Gazetted status to the Posts of Assistant Superintendent of Posts, no financial power has been entrusted to ASPsand as clarified in Directorate Letter No.25-18/2000-PE-I dated 20/12/2005 they are not entitled for Stenographic/Clerical assistance, orderly, vehicle etc. Moreover no Gazette notification is also taking place.
It is expected that the discussion of merger of the post IPs and ASPs and surrendering of Gazetted Status will be again in limelight in the next All India Conference scheduled to be held at Bangalore on 28th and 29th January,2012.